Total alcohol advertising ban urged

A senior police officer has called for a complete ban on alcohol advertising in response to the Government's review of 24-hour drinking.

Northumbria Police Chief Constable Mike Craik said "more needs to be done" about youth drinking and proposed removing the "uniquely harmful substance out of the normal retail chain".

His statement came after the Government published an official review of the controversial Licensing Act and admitted its effect had been negative for some parts of the country.

Mr Craik dismissed the idea that any single policy could transform drinking habits as "hopelessly naive".

He said: "The drinking culture in this country is a result of a unique and complex social history, together with a plethora of laws, regulations and agencies involved in the control and supply of alcohol.

"If we are serious about wishing to change a national drinking culture, we need to move on from the 'will we, won't we repeal 24-hour drinking' debate and stop looking for spurious solutions in countries which don't share our problem.

"This problem is ours to solve. The reality is that still more clearly needs to be done, particularly about underage drinking and the associated youth disorder.

"That may well include rigorous action on the price of alcohol, a ban on advertising, increased education and advertising around the harm it can do, external regulation or even taking a uniquely harmful substance out of the normal retail chain."

The Government review, published on Tuesday, found that while overall levels of crime had dipped slightly, offences committed between 3am and 6am had risen by a fifth - suggesting they have been "displaced".

Concerns have been raised that police, medical and fire service resources are being stretched because more crime and accidents are taking place in the early hours.